New Dutch Company visits Freeport

A high power delegation of the Dutch Company APM Terminals Friday paid a courtesy call on the Management of the National Port Authority. NPA Managing Director Matilda Parker informed the delegation that employees’ welfare remains basic among her administration’s priorities.In response, the Head of the Dutch delegation, A.P Moller-Maersk said his organization was committed to rehabilitating the Freeport of Monrovia.Mr. Nils Anderson highlighted the significance of cooperation and cordiality as important factors in driving home the partnership.He assured the NPA Management of his institution’s preparedness to live up to expectation.The team was taken on a guided tour of key areas of the Freeport including the new container terminal, the marginal wharf and other facilities.The visit came days after NPA Managing Director Matilda Parker expressed several concerns over the agreement between Liberia and AP Terminals.In a briefing to a joint committee of the House, Madam Parker said there is no component on the impact of the agreement on the employees.She also expressed concern over a clause for the concessionaire to operate a 30-mile radius exclusively, low royalty payment and national risk of marine services.The NPB boss observed the estimated cost of the marginal wharf was too high coupled with increasing tariff on rice and cement.Madam Parker also revealed the NPA board did not have access to the APM Terminals agreement and was form part of its signing ceremony.Her argument was supported by NPA Board Chairman Beyan Kessely.But, President Sirleaf has since warned her cabinet officials against differing with issues agreed by the cabinet, threatening would be dismissed once they disagreed with her in public

While it is true that an individual may be held responsible for corruption and mismanagement of funds in government, the lack of proper system to work with may as well impede the process of ethical, managerial, and financial accountability – Bernard Gbayee Goah